Recommendations and thoughts on Post 9/11 GI Bill use

MAJ Jim Steven — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:42:25 -0400

Since Post 9/11 GI bill is free education with no stipulations, I assume almost every service member will use it, yes?
If you already have a Bachelors and Masters, what would you recommend, or plan to do?
Leaning towards tech school, so I can actually do something, instead of just "manage."

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 8 at 2015 7:45 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:45:08 -0400

Find your passion and use the money to follow your dream

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 7:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:49:18 -0400

I gave it to my daughter!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 8:08 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:08:40 -0400

MAJ Jim Steven, I'm currently using the TA Top Up process for my Masters, that only uses $200.00 a class for 9 classes and that's the only G.I. Bill money that I've used to date. I plant on transferring the rest to my kids.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Sep 8 at 2015 8:28 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:28:13 -0400

Use it for certifications in your field, flight training if you've always wanted to be a pilot, or in my case I'll likely transfer the two years remaining once I finish my MS so my wife can use it.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Sep 8 at 2015 8:31 AM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:31:54 -0400

SSgt Alex Robinson said it best.. find your passion and follow it. I am retired Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic from the AF. I also was in Quality Assurance, Management rolls, and Industrial Safety. At a career fair I had a few aviation companies all but offer me jobs. I retired and am using my post 9/11 to get my degree in History. This is my passion. I love going to classes each day and learning more and more. When I get my degree, ill head back to work for a museum or even to teach. What ever it is I am excited. If your passion is working with your hands and getting dirty, go for a tech school. I love having that knowledge of using tools from my AF tech schools. One of the greatest things I learned and helps me daily.

Learn what you want, everything else will fall in to place after. Good Luck.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Sep 8 at 2015 8:40 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:40:29 -0400

To everyone saying the president hasn't been successful - I would argue he's been wildly successful.

As to what the goals were - gay marriage, amnesty, legalization of MJ, socialized medicine, increasing the debt, etc... Those aren't the things I would want to be known for in that position, but he's been very successful at pushing his agenda. The only area where he's failed at his agenda is gun rights - the progressive agenda has completely failed to ban anything under his leadership. (thank goodness)

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 8 at 2015 10:48 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 10:48:44 -0400

I agree you should follow your passion. I too have the 9/11 GI Bill with one year of eligibility left. Not sure what to do with it as my daughters have finished college. However, unless the 9/11 GI Bill is different, the older GI Bills had tech money that was in addition to your college money. I had the Vietnam GI Bill and used every penny for college, and still had the tech portion available. Then 9/11 hit and the VA provided me one year of additional benefits under the new GI Bill. Many older SMs on AD received anywhere from 1-3 years of the 9/11 GI Bill. So, you may have tech money and your college money as well.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 8 at 2015 3:10 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:10:52 -0400

MAJ Jim Steven Remember you can use Vocational Rehab in lieu of GI Bill as well. If you are interested in becoming a Plumber/Electrician/HVAC, etc.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 10:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 22:20:25 -0400

I used it and it worked out amazingly for me otherwise I would be like the rest of my family and never went on to higher education

Response by CPL Mark Dudek made Jun 21 at 2017 11:42 AM

CPL Mark Dudek — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:42:56 -0400

I'm looking for physically able Post 9/11 Veterans who still have Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits that would like the opportunity to learn a great skill AND own your own business within a month.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Jun 21 at 2017 4:15 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:15:24 -0400

I gave mine to my ex......before she left me that is...I consider it a parting gift...lol